How Sushi Counter Reached 1M+ New Yorkers Organically in 6 months
See how Sushi Counter generated 1M+ impressions and doubled creator participation through Storytime’s streamlined influencer platform.
About Sushi Counter
Sushi Counter brings an Australian-style hand roll concept to New York City, introducing a grab-and-go experience that feels as quick and effortless as picking up a New York pizza slice. Inspired by contemporary sushi rolls from back home, the brand focuses on three core values: convenience, affordability, and freshness; a combination that’s hard to find in traditional sushi spots that often prioritize sit-down service. Designed for a younger NYC crowd that loves trying new things, Sushi Counter offers a modern, playful take on sushi rolls that fits the fast-paced city lifestyle.
Beyond just foodies
Before Storytime, Sushi Counter was spending a huge amount of time living in their DMs, fielding influencer messages, coordinating visits, and trying to figure out who was actually worth bringing in. They’d never worked with an influencer agency or platform, so everything felt manual, unpredictable, and overwhelming. Storytime became the first solution they ever tried, and immediately shifted the experience from chaotic to effortless. With creators coming through the app and a dashboard that clearly showed every visit, post, and result, they finally felt like they didn’t have to do anything to keep the momentum going. As Jonathan mentioned, they knew exactly what they were getting, without chasing anyone or managing conversations themselves.
Their biggest surprise was realizing that the most impactful creators weren’t always food influencers. Storytime opened the door to fashion, lifestyle, and everyday NYC creators whose audiences were curious, engaged, and ready to try something new. It showed them that influence is about people, discovery, and the excitement of sharing a fresh, convenient sushi concept with the city. Success didn’t just come from foodies, it came from a whole community they never would’ve thought to tap into.
Through Storytime, Sushi Counter didn’t just gain visibility, they gained real relationships. For many, it was their first time discovering an Australian-style hand roll, and watching them learn, react, and share that new food culture made the partnership feel even more meaningful.
"You know exactly what you’re getting, without chasing anyone or managing conversations."
Mesurable Impact: 1M Local New Yorkers Reached Organically
Since joining Storytime, Sushi Counter has seen explosive growth driven entirely by local NYC creators. Over 500 influencers visited and shared their experience, generating 1.5M+ impressions, and reaching over 2 million people.
What makes this even more powerful is how local the impact was: Half a million local impressions and 400K local reach, meaning real New Yorkers in the neighborhood were discovering the brand directly through creators they trust. Content volume ramped up fast. growing month after month, peaking at over 200 posts in October only, creating a consistent wave of visibility that would have been impossible to achieve through ads or traditional outreach. Sushi Counter unlocked massive exposure, thousands of new potential customers, and a steady stream of buzz, all without lifting a finger.